Prospects

Big D has the opportunity to move up at work. The sad thing is we don't know if it is worth it. We have a pretty simple life and some would say we don't have many luxuries, however, we are blessed with an abundance of luxury. We have a lot of time together as a family and I think that is the best luxury anyone could ask for. We enjoy boating during the summer with our ancient boat that has been rebuilt once already. We enjoy snowmobiling in the winter with machines that are older than I am. We enjoy just being together as a family. Are we willing to sacrifice some of that to make more money? I don't think so.

Big D was talking to a college buddy the other day on the phone. He makes a six figure income, he lives in a brand new home, worth about half a million dollars, that they built themselves. They drive a brand new truck and have more money in savings than we probably make in a year. It's hard not to compare our circumstances to theirs. We have a drafty cramped 1950's home and drive two used cars. Our boat was a hand-me-down from my father-in-law, or we wouldn't even have that. Who has life figured out here? His buddy assumes we do and we often wonder if he does.

What is the ultimate life? Is it the biggest home in the neighborhood? Is it the fanciest car? I don't think so.

I believe it is the amount of love in the family. I believe it is your willingness to sacrifice something you want, or think you want, for the better good of the family. It is the unselfish nights of reading a book to your children even though bed time is long over due, and you had a long day at work or school. It is making a point of holding family home evening and giving the three year old a turn to conduct. And in my definition of having life figured out; I think both our families have it figured out, and we should relish in that thought and quit worrying about bigger, better, newer, etc. I do believe there is a fine line between having it figured out and loosing it all.

It is so easy to be sucked into the worlds belief that one must strive to be the CEO of a fortune five hundred company or they can't attain true happiness. Big D and I often think back on a story we heard about a fisherman who would go out every day and catch just enough fish to get his family by and then go home and spend the rest of his time with his young family. One day a rich man in a yacht pulled up along side of him and asked him why he didn't buy more boats, spend more time catching more fish, and sell them for more money. Maybe turning it into a huge enterprise making him millions of dollars then he could retire and spend time with his family then. The fisherman just smiled and asked why he would waist all that time just to get what he already has: time with his family.

Is Big D going to take this new position? I don't know, it hasn't been offered yet. Are we going to sacrifice our family time just for more money? No. It is the reason he hasn't accepted some of the other positions offered to him. We could be making a lot of money right now if we wanted to, but that isn't our priority, family is. We just hope that our kids learn from us how important family is and carry that into their own families someday. I definitely think Big D has it figured out, even if he doesn't know it. He brings so much love into our home and our hearts. He is a great husband and father and he is my best luxury in life.